A Musical Journey from Puccini’s Manuscripts to the Stage, Shared at Il Palmerino / Deborah Burton residency

The first days of July brought another memorable artistic experience to Il Palmerino as we welcomed American musicologist Deborah Burton for her second residency with us.

Her stay coincided with the completion of a project she has devoted more than six years to: preparing her edition of the finale of "Turandot", based on Giacomo Puccini's surviving autograph sketches and notes. We had the privilege of witnessing the final stages of this remarkable journey before its world premiere at Florence's Teatro della Pergola on July 18.

Before rehearsals moved to the stage, Deborah had already completed a studio recording of the score together with the beautifull soprano Eva Sun, who also stayed at Il Palmerino to attend the premiere.

For Deborah, this performance marked the conclusion of many years of careful research and musical work. Her edition of the finale offers audiences the opportunity to hear an ending that follows, as closely as possible, the composer's surviving ideas and intentions, bringing to life music that had remained only in Puccini's handwritten notes.

Being close to the production during those busy days gave us a fascinating glimpse into the making of an opera. Rehearsals unfolded with all the ingredients of an Italian opera production: last-minute changes, a few inevitable "coups de théâtre", and the controlled chaos that somehow finds its balance just in time for opening night. By the premiere, everything had come together beautifully. The dedication of everyone involved—from the leading performers to the children's choir—made the evening especially moving.

Throughout it all, we admired Deborah's calm approach, patience, good humour and grace. Even after long rehearsals during some of the hottest days and nights of this July, she remained focused and generous with her time, meeting each new challenge with quiet determination.

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When the curtain finally fell, we found ourselves watching Deborah as much as the stage. Seeing her smile, and knowing something of the many years of work that had led to that moment, was quietly moving. It was a reminder that behind an evening like this lie years of patience, perseverance and countless unseen hours of dedication.

Seeing Deborah's research transformed into a living performance, we felt privileged to have witnessed a small part of that long journey from archives to the stage.

A few days after returning home, Deborah sent us a message that touched us deeply:

"My thoughts always return to Florence and Il Palmerino."

We are grateful to have shared this chapter of her journey and hope that the memories we made together will bring her back to Il Palmerino again before too long.